Deepika won't perform at India-South Africa match

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) The title track of the film 'Dum Maaro Dum' will be launched during the crucial India-South Africa match in Nagpur Saturday, but actress Deepika Padukone, who features in the song, will not perform at the event.

More than 45,000 people are expected to attend the match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, so Sippy had requested Deepika if she could perform live? But the 25-year-old is unable to do as she is busy with the shooting of 'Aarakshan' in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

'Unfortunately, Deepika Padukone is shooting for 'Aarakshan' in Bhopal and doesn't have time to rehearse as she would land on same day in Nagpur. She expressed her regret as it would be very difficult for her to perform in front of a 45,000 plus crowd without any rehearsals. The song is extremely dance oriented and needs to be well orchestrated with a troupe of dancers,' a source told IANS.

So finally, the 'Dum Maaro Dum' team will launch the song in the mid break after the first innings.

Sippy said: 'Well it would have been extremely exciting if she had had time to rehearse and perform live in front of the audience. It would have given the song new energy. But we understand and have decided to showcase the song during half time in the match. It's one of the most important matches we have.'

Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Rana Daggubati, Bipasha Basu and Prateik Babbar, 'Dum Maaro Dum' is directed by Rohan Sippy and Deepika is making a special appearance in the item song.

'Dum Maaro Dum' will hit the screens April 22. It revolves around six Indians who meet in Goa and their lives change after getting involved with the drug mafia.